Best Programming Language for Interacting with MS Word Other than VBA…

Hi All

<Rant> MS Word macro security is driving me nuts. I have a bunch of macros bundled up and signed with a digital certificate. I keep getting support calls from people who don't read the message telling them to adjust their macro security settings and think the macros just don't work. And adding trusted locations etc. is way to difficult for the average word user. </Rant>

There are a few other issues as well… I'd like to be able to:
- fix bugs without having to modify the entire project and reinstall everything
- add new language without having to reinstall the entire package
- introduce updates from the internet

If I'm not mistaken there are other ways besides using VBA macros to control MS Word…?

I'm looking for information on what would be a good approach to replacing macros to eliminate current frustrations (or eliminate current frustrations while keeping macros) and also, anticipating that I will need to hire a programmer, what skill set should I be advertising for?

Who is Participating?

Instead of creating macros you can use VSTO (Visual Studio Tools for Office) to create add-ins. There are great because they can be integrated automatically with the menu/ribbon and can be programmed in any of the .NET languages (C#, Visual Basic, Visual C++)

For simple things, vbScript also works well. You can also add the Word libraries in any .NET project and manipulate the Word files from there, but I'm guessing your best bet is the add-in.

You would create your own ribbon/menu category and put all your macros in there. Add-ins do not need macro security since they are installed.

Pinal Dave will teach you tricks to help identify the real root cause of database problems rather than red herrings. Attendees will learn scripts that they can use in their environment to immediately figure out their performance Blame Shifters and fix them quickly.

Hi TommySzalapski - Thank you for your comments. "Add-ins do not need macro security" is exactly the information that I need.

Hi AndyAinscow - Yes, it's a sad day when you have to explain to a clients' IT representative how to add a trusted location or enable macros to run... in my experience I'd estimate 90% + of people that I've helped could have done it themselves... very few organizations seem to be lock down PCs to the point users are unable to change macro settings or trusted locations....

______

I am guessing that I would need to be prepared to purchase Visual Studio - this seems to come in many flavours ranging in price from ~$350 to 20k! When I go to the MS website to look at the comparison I have given very unhelpful information (comparison seems limited to system requirements!). Once I have Visual Studio I need to install the VSTO upgrade, seems free?

Questions:
- will the users of the macros / addins require any special infrastructure on their PC (not including MS Word) in order to use them?

- what version of Visual Studio would be suitable - there are so many! The best guidance as to my requirements would be: 'I want to convert all macros to addins' so functionaly does not need to offer more than what I can do in VBA.